McCurtain County investigation length prompts journalist to flee
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A McCurtain County journalist is leaving the community and heading to Tulsa, according to the managing editor of a local newspaper, following an ongoing investigation into a threatening and racist audio recording.
In April, the McCurtain Gazette published an article detailing and linking to alleged threats made by county officials against the paper. Some of those threats included plans to hire a hitman and dig holes to bury journalists. Other comments discussed in the recording included remarks about hanging Black people.
Since the recording was released, Governor Kevin Stitt called on the Attorney General's Office and OSBI to investigate and for the county officials accused to resign. In May, Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the agency to expand its investigation into McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy.
The only major developments have been tied to the resignation of County Commissioner Mark Jennings and a decision by the County Jail Trust to place Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix on administrative leave.
"This is like a State of Emergency," Idabel Mayor Craig Young told NewsChannel 8 Tuesday.
Young said, after speaking to residents, he believes they have the impression that the state of Oklahoma doesn't care about the investigation; or is trying to make it go away.
"I don't understand why it's being investigated for over nine weeks," said Young. We never heard from [Attorney General Gentner Drummond] down here. I mean he never stepped up to the plate."
NewsChannel 8 reached out to the Attorney General's Office for an update Tuesday and received a comment from the AG's Director of Communications, Phil Bacharach.
"At this point," said Bacharach in a statement. "All we can really say is that the investigation in the Sheriff's office is continuing."
Young said he's trying to hold on to hope that that investigation actually leads to what he perceives as justice for the community, but that he believes those odds are slim.
NewsChannel 8 also spoke with the Managing Editor of The Black Wall Street Times, Deon Osborne, Tuesday, who said that while he was thankful the AG's office was investigated, inconsistent communication could be frustrating.
"I think the lack of transparency is only making matters worse," said Osborne.
Osborne shared a crucial example in a Twitter post Monday, noting that the McCurtain Gazette reporter who began the investigation into the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office, Chris Willingham, had told him Monday that he was moving to Tulsa to protect his family.
"In 2023, you have a journalist, you know, fleeing a county for simply doing his job," said Osborne.
Osborne said he assured Willingham not to give up on serving his community, but that he understood the move.
"He's doing what he has to do to protect his family and I respect that," said Osborne. "I just wish our state leaders would move quicker and be more transparent when it comes to this investigation."
NewsChannel 8's John Hayes asked Mayor Young about the news and what he wants Oklahomans to consider after hearing it.
"The last thing we want is for folks to be fearful of McCurtain County," said Young. "We sure don't want a local to be fearful of his home area."
NewsChannel 8 reached out to the Governor's office for comment Tuesday but did not hear back.
NewsChannel 8 also reached out to Willingham's attorney for comment Tuesday and to request an interview, but did not hear back either.
